Electrical connector having reduced size

ABSTRACT

An electrical connector ( 100 ) includes a connector housing ( 1 ), a plurality of contacts ( 2 ) received in the connector housing, a PCB ( 3 ) having a row of first conductive pads ( 34 ) and a row of second conductive pads ( 35 ), and a cable having a plurality of conductors. The first conductive pads and the second conductive pads are formed on two opposite surfaces of the PCB in a back to back relation. The conductors of the cable connect with the first conductive pads and the second conductive pads connect with the contacts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors, andmore particularly to an electrical connector for transmitting high-speedsignals in an interconnection system.

2. Description of Related Arts

Cable end connector usually has electrical contacts electricallyinterconnecting with both conductors of an electrical cable andelectrical contacts of a complementary electrical connector to transmitsignals therebetween. Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable end connectorsare widely used in portable electronic devices.

A portable electronic device needs to incorporate as many electroniccomponents therein as possible on one hand for multi-function and to getsmaller and smaller on the other hand for portability. Thus, electricalconnectors such as USB cable end connectors accommodated in the portableelectronic device to connect peripheral electronic components, which arenot put in the portable electronic device, to the portable electronicdevice are made as small as possible to comply with the miniature of thedevice.

However, a kind of USB cable end connector found in a daily use usuallycomprises a printed circuit board (PCB) which has a plurality of firstconductive pads formed on one of the two surfaces thereof and aplurality of second conductive pads on the two surfaces and the secondconductive pads are especially on an opposite end to the firstconductive pads. The USB cable end connector further comprises aplurality of contacts connecting with the first pads and a cable havingconductors connecting with the second pads. For the contacts and theconductors are respectively located on the opposite ends of the PCB,much space is wasted.

Hence, an improved electrical connector having minimized space isdesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide anelectrical connector having minimized space.

To achieve the above object, an electrical connector includes aconnector housing, a plurality of contacts received in the connectorhousing, a PCB having a row of first conductive pads and a row of secondconductive pads, and a cable having a plurality of conductors. The firstconductive pads and the second conductive pads are formed on twoopposite surfaces of the PCB in a back to back relation. The conductorsof the cable connect with the first conductive pads and the secondconductive pads connect with the contacts.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective, assembled view of an electrical connectoraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of the electrical connector;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but taken from a different aspect;

FIG. 4 is a view of the connector housing of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective, assembled view of the connector housing, thecontacts and the PCB;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but taken from a different aspect;and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along line A-A;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line B-B; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line C-C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate an electrical connector 100 in accordance with thepresent invention defining a mating direction and a mating interface,and comprising a connector housing 1, a plurality of contacts 2 receivedin the connector housing 1, a PCB 3 attached to the connector housing 1and electrically connected to the contacts 2, a cable (not shown) havingconductors electrically connected to the PCB 3 too, a first metal shell4 associating with a second metal shell 5 for covering the connectorhousing 1 to define a receiving space, a strain relief 6 insert moldedtherein and a cover 7 formed peripherally for providing a sheath.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the connector housing 1 comprises a base portion10 and a U-shaped portion 11 integrally formed with the base portion 10at a rear part thereof. The base portion 10 defines a plurality ofparallel channels 101 for receiving the contacts 2 and a row of throughholes 102 for locking with the contacts 2. The U-shaped portion 11defines a receiving room for the PCB 3 and comprises a traverse arm 111located at a middle part of base portion 10 and a pair of longitudinalarms 112 extending rearward from two ends of the traverse arm 111. Eachlongitudinal arm 112 associates with the base portion 10 for defining aguiding slot 1120. The traverse arm 111 comprises a pair of protrusions1111 extending backwards to the receiving room for the PCB 3, a steppedportion 1112 located between the protrusions 1111 and extending into thereceiving room for the PCB 3 too and a pair of slopes 1113 formed at anopposite side thereof relative to the protrusions 1111. The base portion10 comprises a baffle portion 103 seated just under the traverse arm 111of the U-shaped portion 11 for confrontment with the PCB 3. The baseportion 10 further comprises a pair of ribs 104 formed at a front partthereof for reliable connection with a mating connector (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a number of the contacts 2 is four, a pairof which in the middle is signal pins 21 for transmitting high-speedsignals, a power pin 22 and a grounding pin 23 are respectively locatedbeside one of the signal pins 21. The distance between the signal pins21 is closer than the distance between the power pin 22 and the adjacentsignal pin 21 as well as the distance between the grounding pin 23 andthe other signal pin 21. Each contact 2 comprises a soldering portion 24electrically connected with the PCB 3, a contact portion 25 hunchingupwardly for effectively contacting with the mating connector and aconnecting portion 26 connecting the soldering portion 24 and thecontact portion 25. The connecting portion 26 comprises an elastic piece261 for locking purpose.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the PCB 3 is shaped in a rectangular piecehaving an upper surface 31 and a lower surface 32. A plurality of firstconductive pads 34 for connecting with the conductors of the cable and aplurality of second conductive pads 35 for connecting with the solderingportions 24 of the contacts 2 are formed on two opposite surfaces of thePCB 3, in a preferred embodiment, the first and second conductive pads34, 35 are located in a back to back relation. On the upper surface 31,an electrical module 33 composed by a plurality of electronic elements(not shown) is electrically mounted there at the other end opposite tothe first conductive pads 34 for eliminating noise. On the lower surface32, just under the electrical module 33, copper pieces 36 are attachedthereon for grounding purpose.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the first metal shell 4 comprises a top wall 41,a bottom wall 42 and lateral walls 43 connecting the top wall 41 withthe bottom wall 42 for defining an interspace (not labeled) to receivethe connector housing 2 and then, a rectangular inserting port 44 isdefined for the mating connector inserting into. The top wall 41 forms apair of concave portions 45, 46 along the mating direction. Each lateralwall 43 defines a cutout 47 at an end distant away from the insertingport 44. The cutout 47 has two slippery edges 471 and a locking portion472 at a free end thereof. The second metal shell 5 comprises a bottomshield 51, a pair of sidewalls 52 and a pair of latches 53, beingaligned with each other, both extending upward from two edges of thebottom shield 51. Each latch 53 comprises a flange 531 protruding intothe locking portion 472 of the first metal shell 4. The distance betweenthe sidewalls 52 is smaller than the distance between the lateral walls43 in a cross direction relative to the mating direction so that thesidewalls 52 lean against the inner surfaces of the lateral walls 43 formating purpose and a block 521 is formed on each sidewall 52 forengagement purpose. The second metal shell 5 further comprises a loop 54at a rear part thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the strain relief 6 is insert molded the cableand comprises a tube 61 previously molded for receiving the cable.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the cover 7 shaped in a cap is previously moldedfor providing a sheath. The cover 7 defines an aperture 71 for the cablepassing through.

Referring to FIGS. 5-9, in assembly, the conductors of the cable and thesoldering portions 24 of the contacts 2 are firstly and respectivelysoldered onto the first and second conductive pads 34, 35 of the PCB 3.Then, the PCB 3 is inserted into the receiving room defined by theU-shaped portion 11 under the guidance of the guiding slot 1120, untilthe front edge of the PCB 3 confronts the baffle portion 103 forpreventing the PCB 3 from being inserted excessively, the contacts 2 arefitly received in the channels 101, and the contacts 2 are preventedfrom being pulled out of the channels 101, because each elastic piece261 of the connecting portion 26 is locked in the through hole 102 ofthe connector housing 1. Next, the first metal shell 4 shields over theconnector housing 1 along a front-to-rear direction, in the beginning,two of the concave portions 45, 46 are both at a mating side of thestepped portion 1112, when the first metal shell 4 farther moves ontothe connector housing 1, the first concave portion 45 goes across thestepped portion 1112 and the stepped portion 1112 is fixedly locatedbetween the first and second concave portions 45, 46 and accordingly,the first metal shell 4 is firmly fastened on the connector housing 1.Following, the second metal shell 5 is then firmly attached to the firstmetal shell 4 by the sidewalls 52 leaning against the inner surfaces ofthe lateral walls 43, and synchronously, the flange 531 of each latch 53engaging with the locking portion 472 of the cutout 47. After the cableis enveloped by the tube 61, which is previously molded, the strainrelief 6 is insert molded therein. At last, the cover 7 shields overperipherally for protection purpose.

In the present invention, for the PCB 3 comprises a plurality of firstconductive pads 34 for connecting with the conductors of the cable and aplurality of second conductive pads 35 for connecting with the solderingportions 24 of the contacts 2 formed on two opposite surfaces thereof,and the first and second conductive pads 34, 35 are located just in aback to back station, so, an electrical connector 100 having minimizedspace is achieved.

While a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present inventionhas been shown and described, equivalent modifications and changes knownto persons skilled in the art according to the spirit of the presentinvention are considered within the scope of the present invention asdescribed in the appended claims.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. An electrical connector comprising: an insulativehousing defining a front mating port and a rear connection port; aplurality of contacts disposed in the housing, each of said contactsincluding a contacting section extending into the mating port and aconnection section extending into the connection port; a printed circuitboard (PCB) located in the connection port and defining opposite firstand second surfaces thereon and a rear edge thereof; an electricalmodule located upon the first surface; the connection section solderedto a first row of conductive pads of the second surface around the rearedge; a cable located behind the connection port and having a pluralityof conductors soldered to a second row of conductive pads of the firstsurface around the rear edge, the first and second rows of conductivepads arranged in a back to back relation; a shell enveloping theinsulating housing; and a cover molded over the shell and partlyenclosing a rear part of the shell.
 17. The electrical connector asdescribed in claim 16, wherein the contacts consist of a pair of signalpins and a power pin and a grounding pin respectively disposed at theopposite sides of the two signal pins.
 18. The electrical connector asdescribed in claim 17, wherein the insulative housing forms a baffleportion confronting with the PCB in a transverse direction and defines apair of guiding slots at opposite sides thereof for guiding the PCB. 19.An electrical connector comprising: an insulative housing defining afront mating port and a rear connection port; a plurality of contactsdisposed in the housing, each of said contacts including a contactingsection extending into the mating port and a connection sectionextending into the connection port; a printed circuit board located inthe connection port and defining opposite first and second surfacesthereon and a rear edge thereof; an electrical module located upon thefirst surface; a cable located behind the connection port and having aplurality of conductors soldered respectively to a plurality ofconductive pads on the first surface around the rear edge; and theconnection section soldered respectively to a plurality of conductivepads on the second surface around the rear edge.
 20. The electricalconnector as claimed in claim 19, wherein the connection port of saidhousing defines a pair of guiding slots to receive the printed circuitboard and the associated electronic module.
 21. The electrical connectoras claimed in claim 19, wherein the connection port of the housingdefines a plurality of holes into which elastic pieces of thecorresponding contacts extend for locking the corresponding contacts inposition in the housing under condition that elastic pieces of thecontacts are protectively hidden under the printed circuit board. 22.The electrical connector as claimed in claim 19, wherein a first areadefined by said plurality of first conductive pads is essentiallyaligned, in a vertical direction, with a second area defined by saidplurality of second conductive pads.